TheMightySkunk
journeyman
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 82
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G'Day from Australia. Rode the world-famous Melbourne "Hell Ride" this AM. According to the Aussie locals, it's the oldest/largest group ride in the world; it's been going for something like 75 years.
The Hell Ride leaves every Saturday @ 7AM from a bike store called "Le Knicks" in Black Rock (12 Km from downtown Melbourne, on Beach Road). Flat-out hammerfest on flat terrain for about 50 miles with 250 -> 300 elite riders. Avg speed 30+ mph.
There's one "climb" about which the locals talk with reverence, but in reality it's only about 2 or 3 minutes. To me, living on a 10,000 foot volcano where simply going to the local grocery store involves climbing 2,000 feet, the "climb" was only slightly longer and not nearly as steep as the driveway to my house.
It was a real rush. At home (Maui), there are only about a dozen or so elite riders; so blasting down a 4-lane at Mach 2, elbow to elbow with several hundred racers, is a rare treat. Pace is very fast and the skill level of the riders is high.
If you're planning a trip to Melbourne, bring your bike.
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"I haven't failed. I've just managed to find 100,000 ways that don't work"
--Albert Einstein
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Kahuna
Forum Admin
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 162
Loc: Maui, Hawaii
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O' Great Stinky one...
Any sheilas on that ride mate? Sounds like a real heater. Bring lots of Adam's ale and try not to chuck a wobbly. 
-K
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TheMightySkunk
journeyman
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 82
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There was a sheila or two, but not many. The Jayco Classic is going on this week, so all the pro-quality riders (both male and female) are off doing that.
Since the ride is an out-and-back, riders drop off as they get knackered and catch the group again on their way back. Hence, one can still participate and have fun even if you can't keep that kind of speed for the whole ride.
The only people chucking wobblies was an occasional local motorist; they get frustrated because the group takes up both lanes - and then some.
By the way, Le Knicks has by far the most dizzying stock of team kits I've ever seen. Not only do they have the complete kit - including shoe covers, winter jackets, rain capes - of every grand Tour team, but they have full kits for dozens of local Belgian and Australian teams. A very, very cool place to browse. Fair dinkum.
I'm going to ride over to the Jayco Bay criterium this morning and take a few pikkies to post on the forum. All the Aussie stars (McEwen, O'Grady, McGee, Cooke, etc) are riding.
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"I haven't failed. I've just managed to find 100,000 ways that don't work"
--Albert Einstein
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Cranky
new member
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 12
Loc: Sausalito, California
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Mister Skunk,
Thanks for the pikkies I got this AM. Looks nice and warm down under! Finally got a day of sushine here in the Bay area. Post more pikkies! 
Cranky in Sausalito
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TheMightySkunk
journeyman
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 82
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I asked Kahuna where I should post them. There really isn't a general "chew the fat" area for general cycling photos - yet. Perhaps Kahuna will create one for us.
Next weekend is the Australian Road Nationals, up in Ballarat. The winner gets to wear the green-and-yellow jersey all year. McEwen wore it 2 years ago, and Stuey wore it last year. Graham Browne and Brad McGee, who finished 1-2 in yesterday's Jayco Bay crit, are the favorites.
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"I haven't failed. I've just managed to find 100,000 ways that don't work"
--Albert Einstein
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